Minicamp just wrapped up in Pittsburgh and that means the next step of the offseason is training camp. It will be back at Saint Vincent College where players will try their best to become notable enough to make the final roster. Between now and the start of camp, players will have time to do what they wish before they get into the dog days of summer.
Normally, the stretch between minicamp and training camp includes a lot of work to be fully prepared for camp. That includes workouts and all sorts of different things to prepare a player's mental and physical attributes heading into the weeks-long event. There is going to be a lot of player movement between now and the end of the pre-season before the 53-man roster is set.
The Steelers specialists are able to overcome their competition
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Even though there have been different "competition" brought in for the incumbent starter on special teams, not much will likely change. B.T. Potter will not be able to show enough to make this team over Chris Boswell. The hope is that Boswell just had a down year due to injury and will be able to bounce back in a big way during the 2023 campaign.
Pressley Harvin III is someone that could struggle to make the team if he struggles in camp. Braden Mann will be his competitor and it is possible that Mann makes this club over Harvin if he cannot show enough in camp. Christian Kuntz will likely retain his starting spot as the long snapper of this team for several reasons.
Pittsburgh retains a similar group at key positions on offense for another season
Quarterbacks (3): Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Not many thought that the black and gold would retain last season's quarterback room for another season. Last year left different uncertainties about the future of this group, but those have all been settled since. It is the same group from last season, but the circumstances heading into training camp are completely different this time around.
Kenny Pickett is the starter coming into camp and he has zero shot of losing that spot. Mitch Trubisky earned the starting gig last year, but he will be the backup for the foreseeable future with Pittsburgh. mason Rudolph returns after entering camp last year as the starter but will retain his role as a reliable third option for the Steelers.
Running back/full back (4): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr., Connor Heyward (FB/TE)
The top two running backs for this group are obvious with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren taking the lead. Warren enjoyed a tremendous training camp last year and should be a reliable second option for this team in 2023. Those two could be one of the best duos of backs in the game of football, especially with a revamped offensive line.
The real competition will happen for the third back spot, but Anthony McFarland Jr. will likely get the nod there. Do not count out undrafted free agent Alfonzo Graham as he has turned some heads throughout the early offseason practices thus far. Connor Heyward will be lined up all over the offense but will also take the brunt of the work at fullback.
Receivers see a big change and the tight ends have an upgraded room
Wide receiver (6): Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Hakeem Butler, Anthony Miller
The top three receivers for the Steelers this season are obvious with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson in the fold. It is unknown what kind of role Robinson will play for this offense right now, but he will likely get a lot of looks in the red zone and the slot. That is a strong top three for this group with some other spots up for grabs.
Calvin Austin III will likely make this team without many issues, but it would benefit everyone if he can become a consistent contributor as a returner. Hakeem Butler beats out Miles Boykin in this situation as he is a better target on offense and could show up on special teams. Anthony Miller rounds out this group with his ability to play receiver and return punts too.
Tight end (3): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Zach Gentry
Having Heyward out of this group is only subjective as he will likely still have snaps at tight end. Pat Freiermuth is a special talent at tight end and should only have his targets grow, especially with some questions in the slot. Some pressure is off him now with a bunch of different playmakers coming onto this roster at the position.
Darnell Washington is a rookie that plenty of fans are excited to see put on the black and gold. The Steelers are going to try and find ways to utilize his two-way style of play. Zach Gentry rounds out the group and is likely still the best blocking player in the room. That could change into the direction of Washington, but this is a deep positional group.
Adding a couple depth pieces still remains a priority for the Steelers
Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor, Nate Herbig, Kendrick Green
One would have to imagine that the Steelers are going to keep their eyes peeled to improve some of the depth spots on this part of the roster. Center is particularly a weak point behind Mason Cole and the club could use a boost there. Another thing that will be monitored closely is how many starting snaps are given to which players during camp.
There are a couple of starting gigs that seem already set with the likes of Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, and James Daniels locking down the interior. Both tackle positions are where things could get newsworthy up in Latrobe, PA. Broderick Jones is the rookie that Pittsburgh traded up for in the draft and people are itching to see him play.
He will have to beat out Dan Moore Jr. for that job in camp, but the coaches could give him some time to sit behind a starter. Moore also has another opportunity to start at right tackle if he cannot hold onto his spot on the left side. That could spell disaster for Chuks Okorafor if Jones wins the left side and Moore dethrones him on the right.
Ideally, the Black and Gold can bring in a guy that has experience starting at center and guard to kick Kendrick Green off the roster. Right now, there are not too many options on the roster that will likely kick him off the club. If they cannot find an upgrade internally or outside the team, then you better pray that Cole stays healthy all season.
Balance is the name of the game for the final 53-man roster on the defensive line
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Breiden Fehoko, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams
For the most part, the defensive line will be like last season’s iteration. The biggest change will be the addition of Keeanu Benton as he should be able to light a jolt of energy into this group, which should benefit all. He will likely play most of his time at nose tackle and filter into defensive tackle in certain instances as his role grows.
Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi are going to be the main defensive tackles that will share the top snaps along the trenches. They showed that they could hold their own, but their health will be the biggest concern heading into the season. As long as they stay healthy, these two should be more than a serviceable duo.
Behind them will have to be a mix of backup nose tackle, defensive tackle, and someone that could potentially play both. DeMarvin Leal will be able to play the defensive end spot but also spread out to the edge position too. Breiden Fehoko should be able to get some snaps at nose tackle and be a reliable backup if need be.
Things could get interesting for the last couple of spots that are open to competition to make the final 53-man roster. That spot will likely come down to Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, and James Nyamwaya. Adams makes the club from his prior starting experience with the team, and he could play defensive tackle and nose tackle if needed.
The Steelers go light on their linebacker group heading into the year
Outside linebacker/EDGE (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmtih, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
Both starting spots are locked in unless an injury were to occur at any point this season. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have become one of the best outside linebacker duos in the game of football. Again, it will depend on their health to decide what type of season the Steelers will have. Watt has shown his attendance in games affects the outcomes of contests for Pittsburgh.
One of the better moves late in the offseason for the black and gold was signing Markus Golden. The veteran should be able to help mentor Nick Herbig and teach him some things that he has learned. This is a strong positional group with quality depth, and Herbig could always move to inside linebacker as well.
Inside linebacker (4): Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Mark Robinson, Tanner Muse
Normally the Steelers like to keep five players at this position, but things change this time around. With the possibility of Herbig having a future at inside linebacker, there could be some ease to only carrying four here. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts would likely be the starters in this instance, but there could be some movement.
Mark Robinson returns for his second year and many think that he could challenge for a starting gig. Tanner Muse makes the club as he can start some games for you if need be, but his best attribute will be his snaps on special teams. Hopefully, Pittsburgh can sign or trade for an outside option because this room has a lot to be desired.
Safties remain the same but the Steelers cornerback position has a lot of change
Cornerback (6): Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, Cory Trice, James Pierre
Cornerback is a spot where the Steelers have seen a ton of change compared to where they were last season. Patrick Peterson will hopefully work out as the slot cornerback, otherwise that position could be a disaster. Joey Porter Jr. will start at one of the outside cornerback openings and Levi Wallace will likely start the season opposite of him.
Chandon Sullivan is the only one with a lot of experience in the slot so he will likely make the club out of camp. Cory Trice makes the team as the seventh-round pick and has shown a lot of good things leading up to this point in the pre-season process. James Pierre rounds out the group as he has some starting experience and plays well on special teams.
Safety (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Tre Norwood, Miles Killebrew
Safety is a spot where a couple of different players could be shockingly let go. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal will be the starters for this club. Damontae Kazee will get some looks over this defense and should command a good chunk of snaps on defense. The real battle will come behind those three with roster positioning.
Tre Norwood ends up making the team again as his position flexibility and special teams snaps get him over the hump. Miles Killebrew has been a captain for this franchise before and he will likely stick with the group further. A player's ability on special teams cannot be overlooked this time of year and those two will round out this roster because of it.